Bronaugh Aldermen focus on wastewater and water issues

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

jbrann.ndm@gmail.com

The Bronaugh Board of Aldermen met Oct. 3, and spent much of their meeting on water issues with most of that on wastewater.

Following a reading of the minutes, Treasurer Ann Loudermilk reviewed the month's receipts and the balances in the water and sewer accounts as well as funds kept on hand as debt service reserve and for depreciation and repair of the water and sewer systems.

The board voted unanimously to approve payment on the lone bill for the purchase of a hydrogen sulfide kit for testing the water system at a cost of $227.98.

Residents are granted a one time reduction or refund of their monthly bill due to a water leak.

"Amanda Million had a sewer leak and has asked for a refund in the amount of $28.80," said Loudermilk. "I told her all of you would likely approve it but only after she first paid up her taxes. Aldermen agreed to the request with Loudermilk's stipulation.

Loudermilk presented and received unanimous approval for adjustments to the budget in the water, sewer and general funds.

"And speaking of the budget, I've already started work on the one for next year," said Loudermilk. "We're going to need to schedule a public hearing for the budget which we've usually done prior to the December meeting."

The board set a budget hearing, to be held 30 minutes prior to the regular meeting in December.

Loudermilk then received approval to include the city taxes along with the monthly water/sewer bill.

The mayor and city clerk expressed concern about the wording of the November ballot measure concerning future elections in Bronaugh. The point is to permit the city not to conduct an election when the number of people running for any office does not exceed the number of open seats. This would save the city money.

"But what was stated in the newspaper limited the change to only aldermen instead of any open position, which makes me concerned about the language on the actual ballot," said Mayor Sherry Brown.

"I've attempted to call the county clerk three times but none of my calls have been returned," said Lori Conner, city clerk.

Following brief discussion, Conner indicated she would attempt again to make contact and straighten the matter out.

Alderman Terry Fleener followed up on last month's meeting and the matter of a property owner who denied access to the city employee to read the water meter.

Said Mayor Brown, "The padlock has been removed and the meter was read without incident."

Last month, water and sewer operator, Gary Loudermilk reported the city's permit for operating its lagoon would expire at the end of September. Loudermilk began this month's report by stating he had received the draft permit but was unsure when the actual permit would be issued and its effective date.

Loudermilk stated there would be close monitoring of the levels of E. coli bacteria as well as ammonia.

The last E. coli test, which was also the first, came back as 0; the city is allowed up to a level of 2.6.

Loudermilk reported the level of ammonia was high at 3.04 mg./liter.

"I think it's coming from the bottom and I'm going to work on this," said Loudermilk.

"The EPA doesn't like lagoons and is pressuring the DNR to do away with them," said Loudermilk. "At some point the state will only allow an ammonia level of 1.0 and this will eliminate all lagoons in the state."

"The contingency is that if our lagoon does not pass, the city must have a new project completed to replace the lagoon by year 8 of the failure," said Loudermilk. "The DNR's wastewater specialist for this area is E.C. West and I'm going to contact him to find out what exactly the issues and requirements are."

Loudermilk stated he would post the draft permit at the post office for public reading since that is a DNR requirement.

Said Loudermilk. "Anyone can call me with questions and the sheet has Jefferson City's phone number on it as well."

Loudermilk reviewed some of the options for replacing the lagoon, stating some were more realistic than others.

"We could pump waste water to Nevada, we could try some form of sterilization since we have no E. coli, we could try overland irrigation which requires close to 16 acres or we could construct an evaporation pond which would have to be two times bigger than our lagoon and all the water from the lagoon would go into the pond and evaporate," said Loudermilk.

As noted at last month's meeting, when the new clear well was hooked up, the generator was not because CDL electric stated it was not big enough to do the job although the company providing the generator stated it was. Loudermilk asked and received permission from the aldermen to spend $500 to have Cummings Mid America test the generator. If it passes, the original contractor will be contacted to adhere to its contract.

The sulfur level has dropped dramatically and so the city is using significantly less chlorine.

Loudermilk also reported the lines have been marked at the well site so posts for the fence may be set by volunteers.

City Clerk, Lori Conner, received approval for a city email address.

Attending the meeting was Zack Hood, who said he was moving to town and although he had no training, he was interested in the position of water/sewer operator.

Gary Loudermilk informed him that he would need a combination of water treatment and distribution training, which is 14 days.

Brown said she would obtain information from Missouri Rural Water and contact Zack with particulars. She told Zack that training would need to be completed prior to January. Zack stated he would submit resume.

Brown informed the board that a special meeting may be needed before the next regular meeting to discuss the position and noted, to date, no one else has expressed interest in the position.

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